Grass hay price remains steady
Compared to the last report, alfalfa price was steady in some regions and $5 higher in others, while grass hay stayed steady and there remains an undertone of strength to the alfalfa market, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, March 22.
Movement was slow but seems to be picking up some steam, with several large trades being reported. No news yet on new crop. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for March 15, several areas saw continued deterioration of drought conditions. This was particularly true across parts eastern Nebraska and central Kansas, where high winds and below-normal 7-day precipitation only exacerbated ongoing short-term dryness brought about by a very dry winter season.
Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest:
Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady to $5 higher, movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $260-$270. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock or dry cow, $190-$200. Grinding alfalfa, $180-$190. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $200-$210. Bluestem grass hay, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$120, large rounds, $75/bale. For the week ending March 19, 10,457 tons of grinding alfalfa and 375 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.
South central:
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, alfalfa pellets steady movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $255-$275. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Good stock cow, $170-$180. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $160-$175 delivered. Ground and delivered, $185-$195. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $235-$250, 17% protein, $240-$260, dehydrated 17% protein, $310-$315. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $80-$90, large squares, $100-$110. Brome, large rounds, $100-$105, large squares, $115-$125. Oat hay, good large rounds, $120-$125, good 3×4 squares, $130-$135. Sudan, large rounds, $85-$95. For the week ending March 19, 6,967 tons of grinding alfalfa and 675 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.
Southeast:
Dairy alfalfa, grass hay, grinding alfalfa steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $260-$270. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $180-$190, with an instance of premium stock cow, $220-$240. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $150-$155. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $120-$125, good 3×3 squares, $110-$120, good 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$110, large rounds, $70-$85. Good brome, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $115-$125, large rounds, $90-$100. Bermuda grass, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $105-$115. Wheat straw, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $60-$75. For the week ending March 19, 1,427 tons of grass hay was reported bought/sold.
Northwest:
Dairy alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady to $5 higher, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $300-$400 delivered. Dairy, premium/supreme 1.05-1.10/point RFV. Stock cow, fair/good, $185-$195. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $175-$185. Oat hay, 3×3 squares, $135-$145. Wheat straw, large squares, $75-$85.
North central/northeast:
Dairy alfalfa steady, grass hay, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $9-$10/bale. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock cow, $160-$170. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, $150-$160; Ground and delivered, $170-$180. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $6.50-$7/bale, large 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $130-$140 delivered, good, large rounds, $90-$100. Brome, small squares, $7.25-$8/bale, large rounds, $90-$105. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale, large 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $85-$100. Certified weed free grass mulch, large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending March 19, 2,002 tons of grinding alfalfa and 300 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
